City of Nestor
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The City of Nestor is located on the northeastern isles and shores of Lake Parda, following the river eastward and straddling it on both sides before expanding north and south along the lake’s coast. Fertile fields surround the city, dominating the local countryside, with scattered clusters of trees marking what remains of the Old Forest.
From the south, one looks down upon the capital: a massive, sprawling expanse of buildings stretching across the river and nearly covering the entire visible horizon. From this vantage, the city’s most famous landmarks are visible—the Crystal Spar glittering in the sun as it bridges the great River Guth, the Tower of Darkness with the Oak of Life growing three-quarters of the way up its side, and the Hall of the Barons, its gilded roof shining brightly. The city walls sit far within the sprawl, nearly a third of the way back from the edge of the city, its relentless expansion having outpaced all attempts to contain it, to the point that the Duke has nearly abandoned the effort.
Nestor is the largest city in the region by a significant margin and dominates the political landscape. Nearby nations frequently shape their own policies in reaction to Nestor’s decisions, often weighing Nestor’s influence as heavily as the needs of their own people.
A true metropolis, Nestor is home to people of every race. It has long been a deeply multi-racial city, to the extent that associating a person’s race or origin with their social standing is considered a serious social faux pas. This stands in contrast to some neighboring cultures, such as the Elves, who are often cited as examples of entrenched xenophobia.
Climate and Geography
Situated on the edge of a large, warm, freshwater lake teeming with life, Nestor resembles a Mediterranean city of the modern world. The Upper Azula flows swiftly through the city’s center, gathering speed from the northern hills around Elgvad’s Hold before emptying into Lake Parda, carrying with it refuse and waste cast into the river upstream. Fresh lake breezes roll in regularly, tempering the city’s climate.
Ruling Class and Officials
Duke Kethanial Silvaro is the current Lord Duke of Nestor and oversees the day-to-day governance and maintenance of the city.
Barons of the Court
The Barons of the Court are officials responsible for managing the daily operations of the city and its controlled territories.
Council of Lords
The Council of Lords is a semi-secret governing body that controls Nestor from behind the scenes. Some Lords conceal their identities for security reasons, allowing them to make difficult or unpopular decisions without reprisal. Where the Barons focus on immediate concerns, the Lords plan for the long-term future of the city and empire.
Armed Forces
The Legions
The Legions of Nestor were conceived by Morrowdorn and represent the first professional standing army to serve the city’s people. Founded in the 1150s, the Legions underwent extensive training before being hired out as mercenaries. Early defeats raised doubts about their value, but their first true test came in 1162 NR against the brainwashed hordes of Grathos of Santhur.
Victories against Nagrazzar of Santhur and later the Orcs of Skyshaft dramatically shifted public opinion, transforming the Legions into a respected and feared military force. With the addition of the Battlemage Order in 1164 NR, the Legions became a flexible and devastating force that formed the backbone of the First Empire’s authority. Often, merely the rumor of their arrival was enough to suppress unrest.
The 1st Legion
The First Legion is composed entirely of elite veterans and is devoted directly to the Emperor. Its members refer to themselves as “The Emperor’s Own.”
Recruitment into the First Legion is offered only to veterans with at least five years of service in another legion and requires sponsorship by an existing member or commanding officer.
The 2nd Legion
The Second Legion was raised shortly after the Challenge of Nagrazzar the Mad. Upon formation, it was immediately deployed to defend the Hodun Marches against hobgoblin incursions from the Uni Forest. The Legion operated under Baron Saletaon, a rare Baron with significant military experience who considers Hodun his homeland.
The Nestor Guard
The Nestor Guard serves as the city’s internal security and ceremonial force.
While not as experienced or capable as the legions, the Guard is an effective fighting force and is made up of quality soldiers none the less, and should be taken seriously.
Notable Locations
The SunWay
The SunWay is an ancient magical walkway spanning the gap between SunWay Isle and the First Keep on one side, and the northeastern edge of the river on the other. Crafted by dragons during the era of the Lich Empire, it is a transparent structure designed as a display of power and permanence. The walkway never becomes slippery when wet and has never shown signs of degradation.
The Dwarven Way
Nestor contains an entrance to the Dwarven Way, a deep underground route connecting the realms of the Dwarven Kingdoms through the earth and parts of the Underdark. The entrance lies within the Dwarven Embassy and remains sealed except by express permission from both Nestorian and Dwarven authorities.
Rumors suggest the entrance’s defenses were upgraded recently, including the placement of a Demon of Darkness to prevent incursions from below. Dvoik of the Dwimmer is known to travel regularly through this gateway, and numerous trade caravans pass through each year.
Temple Way
Flame Temples
Three temples dedicated to fire-aligned patrons stand along the northwestern edge of Temple Way.
The Temple of Kellok is a grand marble structure dominated by a large statue of Kellok.
The Temple of the Lady of Ash is faced in obsidian, monumental in scale yet austere in decoration.
Between them stands the modest Shrine of Terranc, once operated by a Dragonborn from Ran named Bello. Bello once held the title Blade of Change within Terranc’s order, second only to the Prophet of Dawn, and led armies against the Empire of Leaves. After the death of the Duke of Ran, Bello wandered before settling in Nestor.
Azula Square
Azula Square is a bustling public space filled with constant foot traffic. At one end stands the Baron Chambers beneath a domed roof, and at the other the massive Stone Bank. Shops line the edges of the square, while a central park shaded by large oak trees provides a place for rest and meals.
Shops of Azula Square
Droge Altrom’s Enchanter offers discounted item identification and wand supercharging.
The Sivis Arms is a busy weapons merchant known for its fine craftsmanship.
The Obsidian Candle is a wizarding supply shop run by a gnome, packed with jars and containers.
Strings and Dings is an instrument shop run by two aspiring bards, Alanna and Terri. A hidden door leads to an abandoned theater they hope to restore as a bardic venue, later known as the Avinoshara.
Traps! Traps! Traps! Traps! is operated by Garvald Savington, a gnome trapmaker known for elaborate defensive devices.
The Stone Bank
The Stone Bank of Nestor is an immense and ancient structure visible from blocks away. Its towering arched roof and giant-sized doors are etched with powerful wards in multiple languages. Two bronze statues flank the entrance. Despite its grandeur, the building bears ancient damage, including a cracked pillar and a massive bite-like gouge in its northwest corner, suggesting a long-ago gargantuan impact. Dwarven Stonesense indicates the structure was built hastily during the Second War of Extinction.
The Manor of Shades
An ancient keep from Nestor’s earliest days, guarded by spirits and elementals that repel intruders. Long feared and avoided, it sits on the shore of Lake Parda and is widely debated as a potential site for redevelopment. It is known to house Sparks, a Shade of Power aligned with Shadow.
Salamander’s Fury – School of Wizardry
Salamander’s Fury is a wizarding academy in eastern Nestor, consisting of multiple buildings arranged in a circle around a central practice yard. A high stone wall and guarded towers protect students.
The school houses up to 200 students aged 5 to 18, supported by approximately 25 instructors and 30 staff. Danath, once an orphaned student here, later became a protector of younger pupils and a respected figure among aspiring mages.
The Guilds of Nestor
Nestor hosts numerous guilds composed of like-minded individuals pursuing shared goals.
Anti-Thieves and Trappers
These professionals profit from rampant crime by designing and maintaining traps and dungeon defenses.
Trips and Traps
Operated by Mendel Hezzington, a dwarf trapmaster driven by personal tragedy, specializing in defensive installations.
Traps, Traps, Traps, Traps, Traps!
Founded by Yolloth Porkrider, Mendel’s former apprentice, offering long-term dungeon maintenance contracts popular among villains.
Thieves Guilds
Nestor traditionally housed a single thieves’ guild, but recent years have seen the rise of the Spellbreakers, sparking a shadow war across the rooftops.
The original Thieves Guild has operated for over a millennium and is currently led by Welland Silvertongue, who plans expansion into Santhur.
Spellbreakers
A newer, magic-heavy thieves’ guild led by Severed, a sorcerer of shadow aligned with the Covenant of Hammer and Tome.